disaster
As Ebola cases hit 1,000, almost 3 million children and adolescents face rising risks in eastern DR Congo
By UN Children's Fund at ReliefWeb
· June 22, 2026
· 4 min read
Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda .95 million children and adolescents aged 18 and under – representing 54 per cent of the population in 31 affected health zones – are at risk from Ebola itself and the breakdown of essential services in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC
Key takeaway “Our teams in Ituri have met children who have lost their mothers, and in some cases both parents, to Ebola," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
Why this matters
The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo poses a significant threat to the region's most vulnerable population: children and adolescents. With nearly 3 million at risk, the crisis is exacerbated by the breakdown of essential services, including healthcare and social support. The fact that children and adolescents account for approximately 15 per cent of confirmed Ebola cases and over 25 per cent of confirmed deaths highlights the disproportionate impact of the outbreak on younger populations. Furthermore, the pre-existing conditions of chronic malnutrition and low immunization rates in Ituri Province make children more susceptible to Ebola, as early symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses. The establishment of nurseries and support services for orphaned children is a crucial step in mitigating the crisis, but the ongoing insecurity and restricted access in the region threaten to undermine these efforts, underscoring the need for sustained humanitarian support.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: disaster ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda .95 million children and adolescents aged 18 and under – representing 54 per cent of the population in 31 affected health zones – are at risk from Ebola itself and the breakdown of essential services in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by UN Children's Fund at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .